A vibrant cultural sector creates a desirable environment for business development and growth and generates a strong sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Increase the power of your arts advocacy message with these talking points.

Economy

• In 2016, the cultural activities contributed $7.2 billion to BC’s economy. To put that into perspective, that’s 7 times more than the contribution of sports.• The culture and technology industry combined earns more than manufacturing, mining and the agriculture/fishing/forestry industries.• BC’s cultural GDP is growing faster than any other province. • BC’s cultural workforce is also growing faster than any other province. In 2016, 98,200 people worked in the cultural sector, a 7.1% increase from the year before.• British Columbia has more artists per capita than any other province• The cultural sector pays 5 times more in taxes than it receives in public funding.•Investing in the creative economy is an investment in jobs. The province’s main economic drivers are now based around innovation, creativity and the knowledge economy.• A robust cultural sector raises BC’s profile nationally and internationally.

Education

• Students with an education rich in the arts have better grade point averages, lower dropout rates and are three times more likely to get a degree.• The power of arts education cuts across all socio-economic categories. The arts can "level the playing field" for at-risk youth.• An education rich in the arts promotes pro-social behaviour and improves communications skills with peers and adults.• More than 9/10 Canadians agree that the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children.

Health and Wellbeing

• Regardless of income level or education, participation inculture is strongly associated with good health and high life satisfaction.• Mounting evidence shows that art activities can have a positive impact on health conditions like dementia, depression and Parkinson’s disease.• The arts can promote faster healing, shorter hospital stays, and lower medication usage.

Society

Art and culture can help us tackle society's greatest challenges. They bring us together as communities, helping us to achieve great things.

• Experiencing the arts in any form that deal with poverty, sexuality, racism, and other issues helps us understand humanity and break down boundaries. The arts and culture help us develop tolerance and compassion.• People who engage in the arts are more likely to volunteer, to vote and to be involved in their local communities.

Three Quick Facts:

• 8 out of 10 Canadians believe that culture makes communities vibrant places to live and more attractive to visitors• 2 out of 3 Canadians understand that arts, culture and heritage attract business to their communities• Canadians who attend a cultural performance or the arts are 3 times more likely to do a favour for their neighbours

Go Deeper!

We surveyed your local candidates about their views on arts and culture. Read these surveys and learn about more about arts advocacy.

ArtsVote BC is an initiative of the BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, British Columbia's leading arts information aggregator and a resource to the arts, culture and heritage community.